Thoughts on Freedom and Sovereignty
Yochanan (John) 8:32
“and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Recently, a lot of my thoughts have been on the sovereignty of our heavenly Father. I am pretty sure there are not very many people who actually embrace this truth. Sure, there are many who know this truth with their minds, but their lives do not reflect this simple yet freeing truth. Let me see if I can explain.
YHWH is Sovereign in my life. I have given Him full control of every aspect of my existence. But the truth is He would still be sovereign over my life even if I did not make such a choice. However, it is the acceptance of this truth, that He is sovereign that sets me free. Like the verse above points out, truth sets us free, if we know it, accept it, embrace it, live it. So how does one live his life in such a way as to acknowledge the sovereignty of one’s Creator?
First, I know that I am exactly where He wants for me to be. I am exactly the person He wants for me to be. Everything in my life is exactly how He wants it to be right now. Accepting and embracing this truth frees me to obey Him. It frees me from the past. It frees me from fear of an uncertain future. It frees me to be me in Him.
Next, I can expand this truth to include my wife. He is sovereign in her life as well. She is exactly who He wants her to be. Everything in her life is exactly how He wants it to be right now. She is exactly where He wants her to be. Accepting this truth then frees me to love her for who she is right now. All the baggage of the past is no longer baggage, but rather is properly understood as the hand of our heavenly Father moving to mold us into the image of who He wants us to be. This not only includes me, but it also includes my wife. Thus, I am free to let go of past hurts and tragedies and embrace the beautiful person she is right now. We are free together.
Next, I can include all of our children, each and every one of them. Each and every one of them is exactly where He needs for them to be. Even though they may or may not accept the truth of His sovereignty in their own personal lives, He is still sovereign. The exact circumstances of each child’s life (they are all adults now) is exactly how He wants it to be. Accepting this truth gives me freedom. It frees me from the past. It frees me from an uncertain future. It frees me from having to interfere in their lives or having unrealistic expectations for them. It frees me to love them for who they are right now.
Then, I can expand this to include friends, acquaintances, people I meet in the street, and people I don’t know. I can include those who exert control over my life, like city, county, state and national leaders, those who make laws which affect me. In each and every person’s life, YHWH is sovereign, regardless of whether that individual accepts and embraces this truth or not. This frees me from any anxiety from all the political bantering, particularly when an election is nearing. You see, YHWH will cause to be seated exactly the person He wants in any given office. Of that I am fully confident. Thus, I can relax and be free. The world, for whatever reason He has, is exactly the way He wants it to be right now.
One may point to all the tragedy and sickness and ask why such a Creator would allow such things to happen and go on unchecked if He is sovereign. But I submit to you, that such things are not unchecked, but rather are His tools, yea, His ministers to help us become who He has created us to be. These things allow us to earnestly seek Him, to hear His Voice when the world around us seems to be falling apart. In all that, He is still sovereign over His creation. Not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without His knowledge. He knows where you are. He knows exactly what is needed in your life to bring out the best in you. If only “good” things happened in your life, how could the good in your heart be manifested? It couldn’t. However, when tragedy happens, then the true nature of what is inside of you is revealed for you to see. Don’t like what you see? Then go to Him and change it.
Why be stressed? Being stressed is just another word for fear and lack of trust. Scripture teaches that perfect love casts out fear. If there is stress, then His sovereignty is not in its proper place in one’s life. Put the truth of His sovereignty as supreme and once again, freedom and shalom shall reign in one’s life.
There is no reason to be fraught with uncertainty about these upcoming elections. The only person to win will be the person who is destined to sit in that office by His will. Absolutely no one can rise to a leadership position without His approval. Accept and embrace this truth and you will sleep better and not be so stressed about things you have no control over, anyway.
And this is exactly how one can tell if one is living the truth of His sovereignty. Such a person is in complete shalom with the world around him. He knows all is well because YHWH is Sovereign and reigns supreme. Thus, all is as it is supposed to be. Even if he cannot fully understand the details of a particular situation, such a person still knows He is sovereign.
It is my hope and prayer for you this day, that you will embrace this truth and begin to live it in your everyday living. Embrace this truth and be free, my brothers and sisters in Mashiach Yeshua!
Shabbat Shalom
Zerubbabel ben Emunah
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